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Career Center Thoughts for the Day Your Personal Statement Will Not Make Up for a Non-Competitive Record. But a Poorly Constructed Statement Can Negate Even the Most Competitive Record! And a Well Written Statement Can Help You Stand Out in the Crowd.

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Career Center Personal Statements Keyword is “Personal” Start Early!!! Grab the Readers Attention! Explain When, Why, How You Became Interested in This Field/Career Tell How You Have Prepared Why This Program/School? What Unique Quality Will You Bring to Their Program? How Do You Expect to Contribute to The Field?

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Career Center Start Early!!! A Well Crafted Personal Statement Can Be a Tie Breaker. Your Statement Needs to be Tailored to Each Program. Have it Critiqued by Several Different Readers. All of These Take Time & Deserve Your Best Effort!

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Career Center Grab the Readers Attention In Competitive Programs, the Admissions Committee will See Thousands of Statements. Make them Want to Read Your Statement: –Lead with a Question –Or Tell a Story Have an Obvious Thesis or Theme and Build on it.

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Career Center Explain When, Why, How Explain When, Why, How You Became Interested in This Field/Career This Can Often be Done with a Story –Intriguing –Short –Lead Quickly & Logically to the Relevant Issues

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Career Center Tell How You Have Prepared Build on Your Story Academic Preparation & Performance –Grades & Special Recognition May Explain “Deficiencies” Here or Refer to Addendum –Directed Studies –Undergraduate Research Published Articles What Extra-Curricular Activities –Internships/Volunteer Positions –Related Clubs & Organizations

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Career Center Why This Program? Why are You Applying to This Program Rather than Some Similar Program? Program Emphasis/Theoretical Orientation Particular Faculty Members Expertise or Research Interest Specific Research Laboratories, Internship Clinics, Special Resources Available

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Career Center What Do You Bring? Culture/Language/Background Previous Experience Writing Ability ???????????????

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Career Center How Will You Contribute to Field? Post-Degree Goals: –Intended Future Research –Communities or Populations You Intend to Serve –Your Plan to Save the World

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Career Center Formatting Usually 2 to 4 Pages – Double Spaced. Keep it Easy to Read – Use 12 Point Font. May Take Form of Answering Specific Questions. Grammar Check (Formal) & Spell Check

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Career Center Final Cautions Have It Proofread by an English Expert. Have it Proofread by a Person Who Naturally Pays Attention to Detail. Have it Proofread by a “Big Picture” Person. Pay Attention to Politics.

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Career Center ? QUESTIONS ? Attend One of Our “Live” Grad School Workshops OR Visit Your Career Center in Campus Center 202A